 newton with his catch |
.jpg) bara on sea queen |
 trevaly-hunting grounds |
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| About KRAIG JARVIS FISHING CLUB |
The Kraig Jarvis Fishing Club is India 's only salt-water sport
fishing club. The brainchild of Glen Simoens, he founded it in 1994 at
Parel in Mumbai. Glen himself is an avid fishing enthusiast who has
spent many a weekend scouting for places to sink his line into.
Fishing in Mumbai
Members of the Kraig Jarvis Fishing Club, India 's only salt-water
sports fishing club, list out a few do's and don'ts of fishing.
Do's and don'ts of fishing
- Never fish alone; tell someone where you're heading.
- Consult the weather and tide charts before you set out.
- Dress
sensibly, preferably in shorts and a T-shirt. Wear rubberised shoes
(for proper grip) and a cap. Carry a sun protection cream to prevent
severe sunburn.
- Evolve detailed plans to deal with emergencies
- While rock fishing, check out your spot for 15 minutes before you start.
- Even after that, never turn you back on the sea.
- Carry a flotation device that can be thrown 10-15 feet away.
- Alcohol and fishing don't mix
- Err on the side of caution - the fish will be there next weekend.
- Lost gear is just that - lost; it isn't worth risking your life for
- If you can't swim, stay home. The gods aren't forgiving.
The coast of Mumbai is where it's at on weekends for the members of the
club, who are in it for leisure, adventure and love of nature, not for
commercial gain. They indulge in what is called sport fishing, a
speedier form of the traditional fishing whereby the anglers do not
have to wait for hours for the chance of a fish to swim by.
The club's "catch-and-release" philosophy suits its members just fine
as you may fish just enough for your needs while the rest of the
catch is immediately released into the sea, so that the fish get a
fresh least of life. And the sport survives.
The club has tow speed boats and a fishing trawler, graciously lent to
it by one of the anglers. Members of the club chip in with funds - a
day's trip to the deep costs Rs.7,000.
Sports fishing is no child's play. It is one of the most technically
and artistically precise jobs. The equipment used, the kind of fish
that must be caught, the area to be concentrated on are no easy
decisions. Most of the equipment has to be imported since fishing as a
hobby is hardly practiced in India. Besides baits, lures, rods, reels,
lines and hooks, the club's heavy - duty gear includes an electronic
fish finder and a GPS ( global positioning by satellite) system.
Installed in a boat the former gives an angler a detailed pattern of
the ocean floor, along with the fish at the bottom. The GPS plots the
boat's position using satellite imaging.
But all this scientific stuff should not put the avid fishing
enthusiast or the novice off the sport. In fact the sport can be simple
and cheap, especially in a country with such a long coastline. One
could even catch a rich haul of fish from the beaches or the rocks for
which all one would need is a nylon line, some wood or paper to wrap it
on, a few hooks and a lead weight. The cost of all this which can be
bought locally should not exceed Rs.50/-. Fishing according to some is
a very absorbing sport. It draws you in and once you are hooked, you
are really hooked, hook line and sinker. The avid fishing enthusiast
will tell you that this is a sport that gives one an in-depth knowledge
of nature and wildlife, the phases of the moon, the turn of the tide
and of course a new respect for the ocean.
However, in India recreational deep-sea fishing has no legal sanction -
only those holding commercial fishing licenses are supposed to venture
into the deep. Anglers also complain of harassment by the Coast Guard,
customs and the Navy. Besides, there are no docking, wharfing or
towing facilities at the Gateway of India to encourage enthusiasts to
have yachts of their own.
Any way for those interested can still contact Glen Simoens at the Kraig Jarvis Fishing Club and go fishing.... |
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